Car construction



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 6 N ww R MM ,m T m @WVM H fl @y w 1 f/f A Mmxm mm n L mMwNMf. s I |i||i M. ma/wwf?, #w A./ /f

Feb. 23, 1965 E. P. SMITH CAR CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 11, 196s Feb. 23, 1965 E. P. SMITH CAR CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Shee t 2 Filed Feb. l1. 1963 UnitedStates Patent fanart if 1 Patented Feb. 23, 1955 This invention relates, generally, to the construction of railway cars and it has particular relation to devices for lubricating thefcenter platesat the ends of a railway car.

Among the objects of this invention are: To provide in a-new and improved manner for reducing 'the friction between Vthe juxtaposed surfaces of vrailway car center plates; to provide for this purpose a mixture` of non-ferrous metal particles and'lubricant packaged in such manner as to facilitate the application thereof tothe center plates; t

, employ for receiving the mixture of non-ferrous metal partral 'opening '17 and extends above the level of the-bearing surface 1S. yAn outerannular flange -Ztl extends'along the outer periphery of the annular bearing'surface `18 and, with theinner annular flange 19 forms an annular `groove Vfor receiving the-depending central section llzof the car body center plate 10. Y` L Difficulty has been encountered in providing a proper lubricant between the yannular bearing'surfaces -12 and l18. Since the bearing pressure is the order of 1,000poundsper square inch, it has been diflicult to provide adequate'lubrication. Because of 'this these bearing surfaces become scored with the result that the coeliicient of friction thereof ticles and lubricant a'carrier plate having cavity providing Y means thereon which are formed of materials that not only disintegrate -on being subjected to the pressure incident to normal operation of the center platesV but also on disintegration function as alubricant with the metal particles being workedinto -the juxtaposed surfaces of the center plates and forming bearing surfaces thereon Whose coefficient of friction is substantially less than that ofthe material forming the'center plates themselves.

In the drawings: Y

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view taken through a car body center plate-and a portion wof a cooperating truck bolster, both devices being of conventional construction and the arrangement showing the application of the lubricator of this invention between thesurfaces of the center plates. A f

FIG. 2v is a bottom plan view of the car body center plate. f

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the central portion of the truck bolster which shows the center'plate,

EFIG. 4 is a View, similar to FIG. 3 but at an enlarged scale, and showing the application of one form of the lubricator of the present invention thereto.

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectionalview, at an enlarged scale, to show the first fold that is made in the plasticbag which provides the cavity in one embodimentl of this invention.

`(FIG. 6 is a'view, similar to FIG. 5, and shows the second fold that is made, i I i lFIG. 7 isa topV plan View' of a cator. `FIG. 8 is'avertical sectional View, at an enlarged scale,

aiodied form -of lubri- V taken generallyalong the' line 8 8 of FIG. 7.

` FIG. 9 is atop plan View of still another modification of thelubricator. i j Y Y FIG.' 10 is a vertical sectional viewtaken generally along the line llillil of FIG. 9. Referring now particularly to FIG. l of the drawings, it will be noted thatthe reference character 10 designates,

i generally,the car body center plate that usually isformed of cast steel. The center plate 1t) hasafdepending central section '1.1 that is provided with a downwardly facing annular bearing surface 12 which also is shown in FIGZ.` A central opening l1.3 extends through the car body center plate 10 for receiving a center pinf14 that is supported at its'lowerend in a socket l5 which is formedl integrally is extremly high.Y Diiiicultyis encountered in relative rotation between the car body center plate 1t) andthe truck bolster y16 particularly'when the car isY moving along a curved portion of the track. Because'. ofrthis there is a tendency for undue wear to take place along the flanges of the carV wheels.

l -Inaccordance with this invention alubricating device,` indicated generally at 22, is interposed between the bearing surfaces f12 and 1S. It is shown in detail in FIG. 4. Herev it will be observed that the lubricating device -22 i11- cludes acarrier plate 23 that may be formed of plastic material such as polyethylene. The carrier plate 2.3 has a central opening 24 for receiving the inner annular flange 19 for the purpose of allowing the carrier plate 23 to lie flatwise against theupwardly facing annular bearing surface `18 on the center plate portion of the truck bolster '16.

A plurality of bags 2Sy provideV cavities for receiving a mixture 26 of non-ferrous metal particles and a relatively heavy lubricant. The bags 25, preferably four in number,

. are formed of plastic material such as polyethylene which, together with the lubricant in the mixture 26 on disintegration, provides an additionla lubricating effect.

lFor illustrative purposes `it isr pointed out that each bag 25 has the mixture .-26 in the cavity provided thereby comprising one ounce of grease and one and one-half ounces of brass drillings. Other copper base non-ferrous materials can be employed instead of brass drillingswhich have been found to be highly satisfactory. The lubricant can be a grease containing about twelve percent graphite and preferably is a zero grade grease having a viscosity at 100 F. of Saybolt #441. Another satisfactory grease is av` Crater compound comprisingheavyrresidual mineral oil having a viscosity at 210? F .of Saybolt #1300. ,i yThis also may be identified as a number 3 grade grease.

The bags 25 as they are obtained from the bag manul facturer are heat sealed along one end as indicated at 27.

' contents of the bag 25.- If desired, .the ,second fold 29 can beheat sealed. However, since the bag 25 must be secured to the plastic carrier lplate 23, such heat sealing of the second fold 29 can be dispensed with. Instead the ends of the bags 25, closed in the manners indicated, f

are placed, as shown in FIG. 4, on the upper surface of. the carrier plate 2.3 and then are secured thereto by staples 30, there being two at. each end. .If desired, the

with a truck bolster, shown generally at V16,.and formed in v conventional manner of cast steel. The truck bolster 16 has a central opening 17` through which thej center pin d4v extends. Surrounding the central yopening 1.7 is an upwardly. facing annular bearingsurface 118 on the truck bolster 16 which also is shownrinjFjlG.. 31 That portion of the truclr bolsterfglv-dwhich includes the annular bearing surface 18 constitutes acenter plate and is so. referred to herein. An inner annular flange liifsurrounds'the cen-V,v

position, the car body is vlowered intoplacejwiththe'car Y ends of the bags251 can be heat sealedjto fthe' carrier. f'

plate 23. However, it 'hasbeen found that it is more economical to use the staples 30,

In operation a lubricating device 22 is 'positiofn'edontheY upwardly facing annular bearing surface 1S with the car body center plate 1t) having been removed therefrom. It'

will Vbe understood that a lubricating device 272 is applied Yto each of the two truck holsters 16 at each end'of the car. After making certainthat-.the centerpin 14 is in body center plate being positioned as shown in FIG. 1. Here it will be observed that the downwardly facing annular bearing surface 12 initially engages the upper sides of the plasticbags containing the mixture of nonferrous metal particles and lubricant. Because of the relatively high unit pressure thus exerted, the bags 25 are ruptured and the material forming them and the material forming the carrier plate 23 is disintegrated and thoroughly mixed with the mixture 26 ofnon-ferrous.

metal particles and lubricant. Experience has shown that the non-ferrous metal particles till the pores in they bearing surfaces 12' and 18 and,7in effect, 'plate out thereover to form relatively smooth non-ferrous 'bearing sur-l is less wear of the wheel tianges and improved operationv of the trucks of the car.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a modifiction of the present invention. Here the reference character 32 designates, generally, a lubricator which comprises a vcarrierV plate 33 of suitable plastic material which may be polyethylene. The carrier plate 33 is provided with a central opening 34 for receiving the inner annular ange 19 that surrounds the bearing surface 1S, FIG. l. Cavities in the form of pods 3S are vacuum formed in the carrier plate 33. AAs shown, they may be circular in coniiguration and are relatively shallow. After the pods 35 are iilled with a mixture 36 of non-ferrous metal particles and lubricant, as described above, they are closed by covers 37 that may be rectangular in shape and heat sealed at 38 along their periphery to the carrier plate 33.

The application and functioning of the lubricator 32 to the center plates of the railway car is the same as described above for the lubricating device 22.

FIGS. 9 and ll0 show still another embodiment of the present invention. erence character 41 designates, generally, a lubricator. It includes a carrier plate 42 of plastic material suchas polyethylene. It has acentral opening 43 to receive' the inner annular flange 19 on the truck bolster 16 as shown in FIG.1. A shallow annular grooved section 44 is vacuum formed in the carrier plate 42 for the purpose of providing a cavity for receiving the mixture 24S of nonferrous metal particles and lubricant. Afterpthe mixture 45 has been inserted `in the curved section 44 an annular cover 46 of plastic, such as polyethylene, is positioned over it and then it is heat sealed'v as indicated at 47 and 48 along its inner and outer edges to the carrier plate 42. t Various other thermoplastic materials can'be employed instead of polyethylene for Vthe carrier plates 23, 33 and 42, for the bags 25 and for the covers 37 and 45. For example, where suitable, any of the following thermoplastic materials can beemployed:l Y Polyvinyl chloride Polyvinyl acetate Cellulose acetate j Cellulose butyrate Cellulose triacetate l Cellulose nitrate Y Saran (polyvinylide'ne chloride)fv Plioiilm (rubber hydrochloride)` Nylon (polyamide) Acrylic y Cellophane (re-generated cellulose) Polyethylene Polystyrene Teiion (polytetrauoroethylene) Mylar (polyester) i Here it will be observed that the rcf` Poly vinyl alcohol Polypropylene What is claimed as new is: l. In combination: (a) upper and lower railway car center plates, (b) a' center pin extending vbetween said center plates, (c) a carrier plate between said center plates having a central opening to'accornrnodate said center pin, (d) cavity providing means on said carrier plate, and (e) a filling of a mixture of non-ferrous metal particles and lubricant in said cavity providingmeans. 2. The invention, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the carrier plate and cavity providing means are formed of materials that disintegrate upon being subjected to pressure incident to the normal operation of the center plates. 3. The invention, Vas set forth in claim 2, wherein the non-ferrous metal is a copper base material.

4. The invention, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the cavity providing means comprises a plurality of individual containers secured rto the carrier plate.

5. The invention, as set forth in claim 4, wherein the containers comprise a plurality of bags.

6. The invention, as set forth in claim 4, wherein the containers comprise pods integral with the carrier plate with an overlying cover secured thereto. Y

7. In a railwaylcar construction in combination:

(a) upper and lower cast metal center plates having annularV juxtaposed bearing surfaces and Vcharacterized by the application of relatively highunit pressure by said upper center plate to said lower center f plate, and

(b) at least one plastic package of a mixture of nonferrous metal particles and lubricant interposed between said center plates characterized by being ruptured and thecontents dispersedk due to said pressure whereby said bearing surfaces have said plastic, metal particles and lubricantdistributed in the form of a lubricating film thereover, the distribution of said metal particles being facilitated by said lubricant.

8. The invention, as set forth in claim 7, wherein the pressure is suicient to work the metal particles into the pores of the bearing surfaces ofthe cast metal center plates and provide juxtaposed bearing surfaces of nonferrous metal. p v Y 9. A lubricator for installation between the center plates of a railway car having a center pin extending therethrough comprising:

(a) a carrier plate having a central opening to accommodate the center pin,

f (b) cavity providing means on said carrier plate comprising a shallow annular grooved section therein and an annular cover secured to said vcarrier plate,

andl Y (c) a filling of a mixture of non-ferrous metal particles and lubricant in said cavity providing means.

10. The invention, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the material forming the cavity providing means and the iilling are characterized by being capable of disintegration under the pressure applied between the center plates and being distributed over the juxtaposed surfaces thereof as a result of their relative rotation.

References Cited by the Examiner Premier Journal Lubricator, publication by Premier Manufacturing Company, Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania, 6 pages.

FRANK sUsKo, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN COMBINATION: (A) UPPER AND LOWER RAILWAY CAR CENTER PLATES, (B) A CENTER PIN EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID CENTER PLATES, (C) A CARRIER PLATE BETWEEN SAID CENTER PLATES HAVING A CENTRAL OPENING TO ACCOMMODATE SAID CENTER PIN, (D) CAVITY PROVIDING MEANS ON SAID CARRIER PLATE, AND (E) A FILLING OF A MIXTURE OF NON-FERROUS METAL PARTICLES AND LUBRICANT IN SAID CAVITY PROVIDING MEANS. 